(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko / with files from The Canadian Press

Alberta police force would cost millions more but could see better service; report

Oct 29, 2021 | 12:03 PM

EDMONTON, AB – A report says it would cost Alberta hundreds of millions of dollars more to set up and run a provincial police force, but that it could ultimately provide more cost-effective law enforcement.

The report says the current cost for RCMP in Alberta is $742 million per year plus an additional $41 million for Sheriffs Highway Patrol for a total of $783 million.

It offers two different models for a new Alberta Provincial Police Service – one with a two-tiered model for sworn officers and one where they would all be on one level.

The former would cost around $734 million while the latter would have an annual $758 million price tag. On top of that, the province would pay around $366 million to transition the system.

Premier Jason Kenney says the report creates a compelling case for creating a police service that is designed by Albertans, for Albertans.

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“Alberta’s government is committed to the safety and security of all Albertans, no matter where they live. A much stronger model of community policing, with closer integration of social services and the involvement of Indigenous people in governance, holds real potential for improving policing in Alberta.”

The PricewaterhouseCoopers report says shared cost savings and other initiatives would ultimately allow for more front-line officers to be hired.

“During my rural crime tour this summer, rural Albertans made it clear that they are deeply concerned about crime in their communities,” says Justice Minister Kaycee Madu. “PwC Canada has developed a policing model that could address long-standing concerns about response times in rural areas and put more boots on the ground. We’re eager to share these innovative and thought-provoking ideas with stakeholders and hear their thoughts over the coming months.”

Reports on the current state of policing and the potential future were also released.

Justice Minister Kaycee Madu says a provincial police force would be able to put more boots on the ground for a similar ongoing cost.

He also touted one idea that he feels would be a benefit to rural communities.

“PWC is proposing the establishment of local police commissions that would make the provincial police service more accountable to Albertans in their communities instead of answering to Ottawa or being controlled from Ottawa.”

Alberta RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki also shared a statement on YouTube.

“We know that Albertans want an active role in community safety and in deciding how their policing services are provided. We are listening and we are taking action.”

“Until a decision is made, we remain the police service of jurisdiction here in the province and we are resolute in our commitment to the safety and security of Albertans. We’ll continue to work closely with the citizens and community leaders and community stakeholders we serve,” adds Zablocki.

Zablocki hopes to review the reports in full in the coming days and weeks.

Premier Jason Kenney’s government says it will consult the public on whether to proceed. Consultations are set to begin in early 2022.

If Alberta moved to its own force, the transition would take up to six years to complete.